There are many birds in Arizona’s Madera Canyon that have never been checked off your life list. Many are Mexican species that venture into southeast Arizona. And you have an outside chance of spotting some of them if you spend a few days hiking the trails in and around the Santa Rita Mountains.
Tucson residents are fully acquainted with Madera Canyon. It’s a popular getaway on the north side of the Santa Rita Mountains, with many hiking trails and picnicing areas an easy hour or so south of the city. It also happens to be one of the premiere birding locations in America, with an eye-popping number of rarities reported there over the years.
The Santa Rita Mountains, one of three major mountain ranges in southern Arizona, are spectacular. Surrounded by the Sonoran Desert to the north and west and by the grasslands of Sonoita and Patagonia to the east and south, these mountains host five life zones.
From an elevation of 2,389 ft. in Tucson to the top of Mt. Wrightson at 9,453 ft., the major plant communities are desert scrub, grassland, brushland, oaklands, and pine forest. After being shushed by some irritated birder in front of the Santa Rita Lodge, I guess I was making too much noise, I decide to leave the maddening crowds and climb Mt. Wrightson. It was a good days hike up and back. I ran into a lot of snow in the shadows of the pine forest. On top you get an impressive view in all directions. It gives you an explanation of why these Arizona high points are called "sky islands."
This area is a world-renowned location for bird watching, Madera Canyon is a major resting place for migrating species and migrating birdwatchers. The extensive trail system of the Santa Rita Mountains is easily accessed from the Canyon’s campground and picnic areas. Besides the forest service campground above Santa Rita Lodge, there are several BLM primitive campsites we have used when the campground is full.
The hiking trails of the Coronado National Forest sky islands offer near unmatched variety. Elevation determines not only the air temperature, with lowlands warmer than highlands, but also the types of plants and animals encountered. The warm climate and desert plants for which Arizona is known occur only at lower elevations, while pine, fir, and spruce cover the highest mountain tops, with grasslands and oak woodlands between.
Hikers can explore the desert lowlands during the winter, and wander through cool high-elevation Ponderosa pine forests during the spring and summer months.
Enjoy hiking among the towering pines of a mountain summit and walking downhill to finish among giant saguaro cactus on the desert floor—all in a single day hike.
The Arizona Trail also makes its way through this magical landscape. If you catch it here it will take you all the way to south Mexico or north to Utah.
And remember to keep your mouth shut around the lodge or you’re going to get shushed!
Tucson residents are fully acquainted with Madera Canyon. It’s a popular getaway on the north side of the Santa Rita Mountains, with many hiking trails and picnicing areas an easy hour or so south of the city. It also happens to be one of the premiere birding locations in America, with an eye-popping number of rarities reported there over the years.
The Santa Rita Mountains, one of three major mountain ranges in southern Arizona, are spectacular. Surrounded by the Sonoran Desert to the north and west and by the grasslands of Sonoita and Patagonia to the east and south, these mountains host five life zones.
From an elevation of 2,389 ft. in Tucson to the top of Mt. Wrightson at 9,453 ft., the major plant communities are desert scrub, grassland, brushland, oaklands, and pine forest. After being shushed by some irritated birder in front of the Santa Rita Lodge, I guess I was making too much noise, I decide to leave the maddening crowds and climb Mt. Wrightson. It was a good days hike up and back. I ran into a lot of snow in the shadows of the pine forest. On top you get an impressive view in all directions. It gives you an explanation of why these Arizona high points are called "sky islands."
This area is a world-renowned location for bird watching, Madera Canyon is a major resting place for migrating species and migrating birdwatchers. The extensive trail system of the Santa Rita Mountains is easily accessed from the Canyon’s campground and picnic areas. Besides the forest service campground above Santa Rita Lodge, there are several BLM primitive campsites we have used when the campground is full.
The hiking trails of the Coronado National Forest sky islands offer near unmatched variety. Elevation determines not only the air temperature, with lowlands warmer than highlands, but also the types of plants and animals encountered. The warm climate and desert plants for which Arizona is known occur only at lower elevations, while pine, fir, and spruce cover the highest mountain tops, with grasslands and oak woodlands between.
Hikers can explore the desert lowlands during the winter, and wander through cool high-elevation Ponderosa pine forests during the spring and summer months.
Enjoy hiking among the towering pines of a mountain summit and walking downhill to finish among giant saguaro cactus on the desert floor—all in a single day hike.
The Arizona Trail also makes its way through this magical landscape. If you catch it here it will take you all the way to south Mexico or north to Utah.
And remember to keep your mouth shut around the lodge or you’re going to get shushed!
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